Pater is not a model for children, they would find him more than "just a little wearisome." If anyone could put into words what Sir Joshua Reynolds' portraits of children express, that would be exactly what we want for the model of their English.

They can write and they can speak in a beautiful way of their own if they are allowed a little liberty to grow wild, and trained a little to climb.

Their charm is candour, as it is the charm of Sir Joshua's portraits, with a quiet confidence that all is well in the world they know, and that everyone is kind; this gives the look of trustful innocence and unconcern.

Their writing and talking have this charm, as long as nothing has happened to make them conscious of themselves.

But these first blossoms drop off, and there is generally an intermediate stage in which they can neither speak nor write, but keep their thoughts close, and will not give themselves away.